Seeking and Finding God - Embry Hillsembryhills.us/adult_class_material/psalms_mason_broadwell_jack... · 3 mmb3 February 2016 -List the distinguishing characteristics of a song of

Seeking and Finding God

Embry Hills church of Christ Spring 2016

Mason Broadwell Jack Johnson

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Course Description

Goals of the Study

1. To know the structure and form of Hebrew thought-rhyme poetry

2. To understand and explain the meaning of psalms we study

3. To effectively use psalms in public worship and personal devotion

4. To understand the ways God delivers us from trials and how we should respond

5. To know how to find key psalms to help us in times of difficulty

6. To pray more effectively and more eloquently

Course Outline

Lessons Psalms Studied Teacher Class Dates

Part I: Introduction

1. Introduction to the Psalms 77 Mason Sunday, February 21

2. Literary Features in the Psalms 13, 27, 66 Mason Wednesday, February 24

Part II: Themes in Psalms

3. God’s Anointed–Messianic Psalms 2, 18, 22, 89 Mason Sunday, February 28

4. Worshiping the Lord–Songs of Ascent 121, 127, 132-134 Jack Wednesday, March 2

5. Praying with the Psalms 25, 56 Mason Sunday, March 6

Part III: Topical Studies in Psalms

6. Man’s Relationship to God 90, 95, 100 Mason Wednesday, March 9

7. Deliverance from Evildoers 35, 36 Jack Sunday, March 13

8. Deliverance from Life’s Trials 41, 63 Jack Wednesday, March 16

9. Deliverance from Sin 51, 130 Jack Sunday, March 20

GOSPEL MEETING – NO CLASS Wednesday, March 23

10. Calling Down Curses?–Imprecatory Psalms 69, 109, 137 Mason Sunday, March 27

11. Waiting for Restoration 74, 79 Mason Wednesday, March 30

12. The Messianic Solution 144, 110 Mason Sunday, April 3

13. A Triumphant Close (+Review) 146-150 Jack Wednesday, April 6

Lesson Objectives (At the end of the class, the student will be able to…)

Lesson 1 – Introduction to the Psalms

-List the psalms that comprise each of the 5 Books of the Psalms

-Name at least 2 themes of the book of Psalms

-Describe the emotional movement of the book from beginning to end

-Explain how Psalm 77 encapsulates this shift in tone

Lesson 2 – Literary Features in the Psalms

-List at least 5 genres of psalms

-List and define the two most important literary devices used in the Psalms

-List at least two psalms containing examples of each literary device

-Identify and describe the four main types of parallelism

-Diagram the use of parallelism and chiasm in selected psalms

Lesson 3 – God’s Anointed–Messianic Psalms

-List the distinguishing characteristics of a messianic psalm

-Name at least three examples of messianic psalms

-List at least two themes found in messianic psalms

Lesson 4 – Worshiping the Lord–Songs of Ascent

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-List the distinguishing characteristics of a song of Ascent

-Name the series of psalms known as the Songs of Ascent

-List at least two themes found in songs of Ascent

Lesson 5 – Praying with the Psalms

-Name three parallels between the Model Prayer and the prayers in Psalms

-Describe the relationship between knowing God’s word and demonstrating our faith in prayer

-Explain the relationship between personal deliverance and corporate (group) deliverance

Lesson 6 – Man’s Relationship to God

-Name two images used to describe the relationship between man and God

-Describe the psalmist’s understanding of the relationship between man and God

-List at least two psalms that describe this relationship

Lesson 7 – Deliverance from Evildoers

-List at least three human inventions the psalmist warns his reader not to trust

-Explain what kind of deliverance the psalmist hopes for

-Name three prerequisites for deliverance found in these psalms

Lesson 8 – Deliverance from Life’s Trials

-Describe the nature of the trials the psalmist discusses



Lesson 9 – Deliverance from Sin

-Describe the circumstances under which Psalm 51 was written



Lesson 10 – Calling Down Curses?–Imprecatory Psalms

-List the distinguishing characteristics of an imprecatory psalm

-Name at least three examples of imprecatory psalms

-Name at least two themes found in imprecatory psalms

-Describe two theories to explain the harshness of the imprecatory psalms

Lesson 11 – Waiting for Restoration

-List the key features of psalms about restoration

-Describe Asaph the Seer

-List the four Needs of God’s People

Lesson 12– The Messianic Solution

-Describe the problem confronting the psalmist in Psalm 144

-Explain how Psalm 110 answers the problem raised in Psalm 144

-Describe the importance of Psalm 110 to the argument of the book of Hebrews

Lesson 13 – A Triumphant Close

-List at least 7 groups of individuals called to praise Jehovah

-Name the two phrases that occur repeatedly in Psalms 146-150

-Explain the historical and theological significance of the ending of the book of Psalms

This material may be duplicated, altered, and reprinted without reservation and without the author’s permission.

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Making Practical Use of the Psalms

In many of the lessons you will find a Practical Psalms chart to fill out. This chart will be the basis of our class discussions about how to make full use of the psalms in our lives, so I encourage you to have it filled out before class. Here is a description of what each element represents.

Physical Challenge(s): What challenges of a physical nature are confronting the psalmist? Is he surrounded by enemies? Are his friends betraying him? Is he out of food and water? List physical difficulties the psalmist mentions in the text of the psalm.

Physical Requests: What does the psalmist ask for in a physical sense? Does he want his enemies to be destroyed? Is he hoping for a return to his more honored state? List the things the psalmist wants to be physically different about his circumstances.

Spiritual Challenge(s): What challenges of a spiritual nature are confronting the psalmist? Has God apparently

let him down, perhaps by not seeming to keep a promise? Has the psalmist sinned? Is he discouraged by his lack of spiritual companions? List spiritual difficulties the psalmist faces.

Spiritual Requests: What does the psalmist ask for spiritually? Does he want forgiveness? Is he asking God to

comfort him in his discouragement? Does he want God’s name to be honored among the people as it should be? List the spiritual improvements the psalmist asks God to make.

Basis of Psalmist’s Hope: What reasons does the psalmist give for believing that God will answer his prayers?

Does he look to the wonder of the natural world, or the record of God’s faithfulness in Israel’s history? What inspires the psalmist’s faith in God’s help?

Emotions Stirred: How does the psalmist feel in the midst of his crisis? Is he sad, angry, peaceful, happy, etc.? (The best way to determine this may be to work backward from what the psalmist asks for; for instance, if he asks for total destruction of his enemies, he is probably angry.)

Deliverance/Consolation: In some cases, the psalmist’s deliverance is celebrated in the psalm. In other cases, the psalmist makes peace with his situation even though the crisis is not over yet. What is the deliverance that God provides? What does the psalmist remember or see that allows him to be calm and trust in God?

Here is the Practical Psalms chart filled out for Psalms 43 and 46 as an example.

Psalm 43 Psalm 46

Physical Challenge(s) Oppression, v.2;

Deceitful enemies, vv.1, 3

Natural disasters, vv.2-3;

Political turmoil, v.6; Wars, v.9 Physical Requests Deliverance from oppression, v.1b (implied) Continued protection from

disasters, vv.2-3, 6;

Deliverance from turmoil, v.7 Spiritual Challenge(s) Discouragement at God’s apparent

rejection, v.2

none

Spiritual Requests Vindication (prove him righteous), v.1;

Restored fellowship with God, vv.3-4

none

Basis of Psalmist’s Hope God “owns” light and truth, v.3;

His relationship with God, v.5b

God’s promises to Jacob, vv.7&11

Emotions Stirred Desperation; then hope, and trust in

future comfort

Trust, assurance, faith in God’s power

Deliverance/Consolation God will deliver him, v.5 National and personal peace and

deliverance, vv.1, 4-5, 7-9;

God is with them, vv.10-11

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Seeking and Finding God in the Psalms Use these categories to help you find psalms to read and meditate on as you go through the ups and downs of life. Think carefully about what the psalmist says about his situation, and how he relates to God as he deals with his circumstances. Then try to imitate that faith in your prayers and actions. Each time you read a new psalm, decide which category it fits in. You may need to add categories for specific psalms and situations. Psalms of Seeking God

When I’m sad – Lament

o Because someone has mistreated or hurt me – 41, 55

o Because bad circumstances have happened to me – 42, 60

o Because of the consequences of my sin – 38, 130

o Because God seems to have abandoned me, or not kept His promises – 79, 89

When I’m tempted – 73, 141

When I’m angry because someone has mistreated or hurt me – Imprecation: 35, 55, 59, 109, 137

When I’ve sinned and need forgiveness – Penitential: 51, 39

When I’m sure God will help me, even though He hasn’t yet – Trust: 62, 63

Psalms of Finding God

When I’m joyful – Praise

o Because of God’s work throughout history – 66, 81

o Because of the glory of God’s creation – 29, 19

o Because of the blessings of citizenship, fellowship, and worship – Songs of Ascents; 84, 87, 91

o Because of God’s (and Christ’s) authority and reign – Kingship: 2, 24, 72, 110

o And want others to rejoice with me – Hallelujah (146-150)

When I’ve been delivered – Thanksgiving

o From physical difficulties – 18, 107

o From the guilt of sin – 32, 103

When I’m building my faith on God’s past faithfulness – History: 68, 78, 105, 136

When I’m learning how I should act – Wisdom: 1, 49, 73, 112

When I’m reading His Word – 19, Torah (119)

Use the quiz answer key and blank quiz sheet on the following page to learn some of the facts about Psalms that will help us read and understand the Psalms more effectively. Make copies of the page to practice more often.

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Word Bank: Ps. 107-150 Doxology Imprecatory Wisdom Lament Ps. 1-41 Thanksgiving Ps. 90-106 Ps. 42-72 Ps. 73-89 Messianic Torah Hallelujah Psalms Praise Parallelism History Trust Ascent

Word Bank: Ps. 73-89 Doxology Imprecatory Wisdom Lament Ps. 1-41 Thanksgiving Ps. 90-106 Ps. 42-72 Ps. 107-150 Messianic Torah Hallelujah Psalms Praise Parallelism History Trust Ascent

Psalms Facts Quiz (Answer Key)

History Celebrates God’s role in Israel’s past, and inspires further trust in His power to deliver Parallelism A literary device that states an idea in one line and examines it more closely in the second Ps. 73-83 Book III of Psalms Thanksgiving Reflects joyfully on the salvation God has brought about Lament Complains to God about the way the psalmist is being (mis)treated Wisdom Emphasizes the importance of day-to-day behaviors that draw us closer to God Ps. 107-150 Book V of Psalms Trust Asserts confidence in God during difficult circumstances Doxology A declaration of praise to and about God Imprecatory Calls on God to deal with the psalmist’s enemies Ps. 90-106 Book IV of Psalms Torah Celebrates the Law and its application to the life of the psalmist Hallelujah Begins and ends with the Hebrew word for “Praise the Lord” Ps. 1-41 Book I of Psalms Messianic Describes Israel’s coming deliverer who will perfect David’s kingship Praise Magnifies God for His work in Creation and Israel’s history Ps. 42-72 Book II of Psalms Ascent Emphasizes Israel’s need for unity, reliance on God, and proper worship in Jerusalem

Psalms Facts Quiz

___________Celebrates God’s role in Israel’s past, and inspires further trust in His power to deliver

___________ A literary device that states an idea in one line and examines it more closely in the second ___________ Book III of Psalms ___________ Reflects joyfully on the salvation God has brought about ___________ Complains to God about the way the psalmist is being (mis)treated ___________ Emphasizes the importance of day-to-day behaviors that draw us closer to God ___________ Book V of Psalms ___________ Asserts confidence in God during difficult circumstances ___________ A declaration of praise to and about God ___________ Calls on God to deal with the psalmist’s enemies ___________ Book IV of Psalms ___________ Celebrates the Law and its application to the life of the psalmist ___________ Begins and ends with the Hebrew word for “Praise the Lord” ___________ Book I of Psalms ___________ Describes Israel’s coming deliverer who will perfect David’s kingship ___________ Magnifies God for His work in Creation and Israel’s history ___________ Book II of Psalms ___________ Emphasizes Israel’s need for unity, reliance on God, and proper worship in Jerusalem

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Lesson Overview

-Date of Composition: ca. 1500-

400 BC -Authors (known): Moses, David,

Solomon, Asaph, Sons of Korah -Key Genres:

Praise Prayer

Imprecatory Thanksgiving

Instructional

-Key Terms: “psalm” vs. “Psalms”

doxology Torah

selah -Key Psalms: 77

- 1 - Introduction to the Psalms

I. Why study the Psalms?

a. The Psalms describe in poignant detail the suffering, doubts,

rejoicing, and faith of individual followers of God.

Understanding their thoughts allows us to better deal with our

own in similar circumstances.

b. The Psalms are the most accessible collection of Hebrew

poetry. They form an excellent introduction to the other poetry

of the Old Testament (Job, prophecies, etc.), and give us a

head start on understanding the more difficult writings.

II. Outline of the Book

a. Textual Divisions

Book I: Psalms 1-41

Book II: Psalms 42-72

Book III: Psalms 73-89

Book IV: Psalms 90-106

Book V: Psalms 107-150

b. Organizational Notes

i. Books I-III are the first collection, compiled just before the Babylonian exile (Bullock 65).

ii. Books IV-V were likely compiled after the return to Jerusalem (Bullock 70).

iii. Each Book ends with a Doxology (declarative praise of God), probably appended to the text

by the editor (see 41:13, 72:18-19, 89:52, 106:48, 150:6).

iv. The final compilation of all 150 psalms in the order we read them occurred, at the latest, by

250-150 BC; the Septuagint contains all the psalms in the current order.

v. These dates of compilation do not reflect the dates of composition (Psalm 90, in Book IV, is

attributed to Moses). We should think of these two collections (I-III and IV-V) as two sets of

messages that their compilers felt Israel needed to hear.

vi. Terms like selah and maschil, which occur frequently, have unclear meanings, and generally

are unimportant to understanding the psalm (Bullock 250-251).

III. Themes of the Book of Psalms

Note: Each psalm can and should be studied individually. However, when we look at each book as a

collection, we see the work of an editor who chose some psalms and rejected others. By noting the

psalms he chose and the historical circumstances in which he chose them, we see a sketch of Israel’s

national feeling at the moment the psalms in that book were collected. Noting this helps us to read the

psalms as they read them, with their collective fears and uncertainties about the present and future.

a. Books I-III

i. Since they were likely collected just before the Babylonian exile, Books I-III emphasize the

justice of God among the nations (Psalms 2, 89), and obedience to God’s Law (Psalms 1, 19).

These Psalms ask, “Where is God? Why do the wicked among His people go unpunished,

and why do the pagan nations prosper over us?”

ii. Books I and II contain four Psalms of Praise each, and Book III contains none. Just as the

destruction of Jerusalem in 590 was the low point of Israel’s history, the final chapter of its

psalter (in this edition) is the low point of the collection.

b. Books IV-V

i. These books were collected after the exile (see Psalm 137:1), and indicate a desire to keep

God’s law; Book IV begins with a psalm of Moses, the law-giver. There are many confessions

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of sin, especially national (106), and powerful statements of the value of God’s law (119).

The power, love, mercy, and greatness of God are reiterated constantly.

ii. Books IV and V frequently discuss the relationship between God and His people (90, 100).

iii. Book IV contains 9 psalms of praise, and Book V has 13. Rejoicing in their deliverance and

the promise of the coming king, God’s people call the whole world to praise the Living God.

c. The Book of Psalms as a Spiritual Journey

i. The psalms move, in tone and genre, from lament to praise across the psalter as a whole.

Compare the number of Laments to the number of Praises in each book:

Book I (1-40) Book II (42-72) Book III (73-89) Book IV (90-106) Book V (107-150)

Laments 19 7 7 5 4

Praises 4 4 0 9 13

ii. Ending as it does with a detailed focus on God’s greatness and kingship (Psalm 145), the

Book of Psalms seems to indicate that the historical Israel has at last learned to look to God

for deliverance, and not to their own might or planning (Deuteronomy 17:16).

IV. Psalm 77 – The Pattern Psalm

Psalm 77 exemplifies the overall movement of the book. Match these verses of Psalm 77 with the type

(genre) of psalm they sound like.

a. vv.1-9 ___ Praise

b. v.10 ___ Lament

c. vv.11-15 ___ History

d. vv.16-20 ___ Trust

Now, find verses in Psalm 77 that exemplify the themes of the Books of Psalms listed below:

a. Psalmist seeks, but feels that he cannot find God:

b. God’s relationship with His people:

c. Importance of obedience to the Law:

d. Total helplessness without God:

e. God’s power displayed in His works:

f. Israel’s history (and God’s work in it):

What is the Psalmist’s chief complaint in this Psalm?

What answer does he eventually arrive at by examining Israel’s history?

Questions

1. Find New Testament passages where psalms are used in each of these circumstances:

a. To explain or comment on a person’s actions:

b. As a prophecy that has been fulfilled:

c. As part of a worship:

d. As an admonition or warning:

e. To prove the deity of Christ:

2. What do you think makes the Psalms valuable for Christians to study?

3. Why do you think the Book of Psalms moves, as a whole, from lament at the beginning to praise at the end?

What should we learn from this transition?

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Lesson Overview

-Psalmic Literary Devices:

Parallelism Chiasm

-Types of Parallelism: Synonymous

Antithetic Climactic (Stairstep)

Comparison -Key Psalms: 13, 27, 66

- 2 - Literary Features in the Psalms

I. Lesson 1 Review

a. List 5 genres of psalms:

b. What is the movement in tone and genre across the psalms as

a collection?

c. What are the books that made up the two original compilations

of psalms?

i. Collection 1:

ii. Collection 2:

II. Features of Hebrew Poetry: Parallelism

a. Parallelism is “a literary pattern that states an idea in one line and focuses more closely on the same

idea in the following line” (Bullock 36). It focuses more closely in two ways:

i. Repeating the same thought in different terms

1. Example: A The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?

(27:1) A’ The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2. “my light and my salvation” is equivalent to “the strength of my life,” and the end of

each line is nearly identical

Note: When marking parallelism, use the same letter (A, in this case) to indicate two

parallel lines, but add an apostrophe (A’) to distinguish the second line.

ii. Stating the thought more specifically

1. Example: B I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;

(27:6) B’ I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

2. A’ indicates what kind of “sacrifices of joy” the psalmist will offer in the tabernacle

b. Parallelism is at the heart of Hebrew poetry. Rather than rhyming words, Hebrew poetry rhymes

thoughts. There are 4 main types of parallelism:

i. Synonymous: stating the same idea in new words (examples: 27:1, 6)

ii. Antithetic: stating the opposite of the first idea (example: 66:12)

1. Example: C We went through fire and through water;

(66:12) C’ But You brought us out to abundance.

2. C states what Israel did; C’ states the opposite: what God did

3. Often antithetic parallelism includes the word but (1:6), though not always (66:7)

4. Antithetic parallelism is the chief literary device used in Proverbs

iii. Climactic (Stairstep): building an idea through a series of increasingly forceful thoughts

1. Example: Enlighten my eyes,

(13:3-4) D Lest I sleep the sleep of death;

D’ Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him";

D’’ Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

2. In addition to growing longer each time, the successive thoughts state what the

psalmist hopes to avoid in stronger and more direct language.

iv. Comparison: using an image to describe an object or idea

1. Through metaphor: You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.

(66:11). The first line is a metaphor for the thought in the second.

2. Through simile: He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water… (1:3). The

righteous man described in vv.1-2 is compared to a fruitful tree in v.3.

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3. In comparison, the idea and the image are parallel, rather than the words

themselves

III. Features of Hebrew Poetry: Chiasm

a. The word chiasm comes from the Greek word for the letter X (chi). A chiasm is a progression of

thoughts toward a central idea, and then back out to the first thought in the reverse order. If you

sketch out the progression, it resembles the letter X.

b. Typically, the thoughts move from the general (on the outside) to the specific (the central idea).

c. Example: A Come and hear, all you who fear God,

(66:16-17) B And I will declare

C what He has done for my soul.

B’ I cried to Him with my mouth,

A’ And He was extolled with my tongue.

d. The center of the chiasm contains the main point. In this case, the psalmist focuses the chiasm

around the specific things God has done for him and for Israel. Coming at the end of Psalm 66, this

chiasm highlights the wondrous works of God that the psalmist has already mentioned (vv.5-12).

Questions

1. What do you think are the practical benefits of understanding the literary features of Hebrew poetry?

2. Circle the literary device used in the underlined sections of Psalm 13:

1 How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?

How long will You hide Your face from me? a) Synonymous Parallelism

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, b) Comparison

Having sorrow in my heart daily? c) Antithetic Parallelism

How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God;

Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death; a) Chiasm

4 Lest my enemy say, "I have prevailed against him"; b) Climactic Parallelism

Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. c) Synonymous Parallelism

5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;

My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

6 I will sing to the LORD,

Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

3. For class, be ready to indentify and describe the literary devices found in Psalms 27 and 66. Use the attached

printouts of the psalms to underline, circle, and highlight the text as necessary.

4. Find some passages in the New Testament where a truth is based on how an Old Testament passage is written—

that is, based on grammar or word order in the quoted text. What does this tell you about the importance/value of

a “literary” study of the Bible?

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Lesson Overview

-Messianic Psalms

Laments & Royal Psalms Incomplete Picture of

Coming Messiah Occur Across All Genres

-Key Themes: Perfected King(ship)

God the Ultimate King -Key Psalms: 2, 18, 22, 89

- 3 - God’s Anointed–Messianic Psalms

I. Lesson 2 Review

a. List the 2 main literary devices used in the Psalms:

b. What are the 4 main types of parallelism?

II. The Messiah in the Psalms

a. While the idea of a deliverer goes back to the Fall, it is in the psalms that we begin to see a clearer

picture of what this deliverer will be like

b. “What we have in the Psalter is the raw material for the messianic vision that captured the attention

of…the Christian church” (Bullock 183)

i. The psalmists did not have the better-defined view of the Messiah found in the prophets and

finally revealed in Jesus Christ

ii. The psalmists saw this coming king as the ultimate version of a physical king like David, who

would, with God’s help, “rule in the midst of his enemies” (Psalm 110:2)

iii. Part of the reason why the Jews were surprised by Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah is that

they had taken the raw material of the Psalms and prophets and reforged it into the

Messiah’s physical kingship. Jesus and the apostles’ insistence on a spiritual application was

simply not a part of their conception.

c. The Messianic Psalms are not a distinct genre of psalms. They come from all genres, especially

Laments and Royal psalms, which focus on both the earthly king (typified by David) and the

heavenly King (God). The Messiah is the perfected earthly king.

i. Royal Psalms: 2, 18, 20, 21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132, 144

ii. A first step to determine Messianic Psalms is to see which psalms Jesus and the apostles

used to support Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah:

1. Psalm 2: quoted 6 times

2. Psalm 18: quoted 1 time

3. Psalm 45: quoted 1 time

4. Psalm 110: quoted 7 times

5. On the other hand, we also see messianic echoes in psalms that are not directly

quoted in the NT, though they are clearly referenced (e.g., Psalm 89)

iii. Note that these four psalms fit into various genres that we have already studied.

iv. Non-kingship psalms are also quoted as describing the Messiah, most famously Psalm 22.

III. Key Themes of Messianic Psalms

a. The King and Kingship Perfected

i. It would be a gross understatement to say that Israel never had a perfect king, but the

Royal psalms, and those with messianic overtones in particular, promise exactly that:

1. God calls this king His son (2:8; 89:26-27) and vows to do whatever this king asks

2. This king will rule over the nations (2:8-9; 18:43-44), which is an extended version of

the “Land Promise” to Abraham and Israel

ii. This king is “David” (89:20), but freed from internal and external struggles (89:22-23)

b. God as the Ultimate King

i. The Messiah, like the kings of Israel, derives His power from God (18:43; 89:4)

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ii. His authority is a gift from God, to whom He must give an account of His rule (89:28-33)

IV. An Incomplete Picture of this New King

a. The word messiah (Hebrew meshiakh) means “anointed one.” Anointing was the traditional way in

the Ancient Near East to signify a king’s selection for the throne. This word appears in 6 of the 10

Royal psalms, and some uses do not refer to the Messiah (20:6)

b. The future king in the Psalms is described incompletely, and on a first reading there appears to be

less of a spiritual focus here than in the prophetic visions of the coming king (cf. Isaiah 53-55).

i. This king will break his enemies with a rod of iron as if they were clay pots (Psalm 2)

ii. He will rejoice in the strength of God, which will swallow up the king’s enemies (Psalm 21)

c. We should see this incomplete picture as a step in God’s revelation of His great plan for salvation

i. The Messiah would destroy the nations who opposed Him and consume His enemies with

fire, but not at first, and perhaps not in the way the psalmists understood it.

ii. On the other hand, it is difficult to imagine a man like David being dissatisfied with the way

the coming King appeared and delivered God’s people.

iii. Finally, Paul describes Christ’s rule in similarly physical terms, though his emphasis is clearly

spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:24-28)

Questions

1. Fill out the Practical Psalms chart for each of the psalms in the lesson. Use a separate piece of paper if necessary.

Psalm 2 Psalm 18 Psalm 22 Psalm 89

Physical Challenge(s)

Physical Requests

Spiritual Challenge(s)

Spiritual Requests

Basis of Psalmist’s Hope

Emotions Stirred

Deliverance/Consolation

2. What genre would each of the four psalms we are studying fall into? List some key verses from each psalm that

are typical of the genre. Review Lesson 1 for descriptions of each genre.

Genre Verses Typical of Genre

Psalm 2

Psalm 18

Psalm 22

Psalm 89

3. Find some verses or descriptions of the king in Psalms 2, 18, and 89 that do not seem to apply to the Messiah.

4. Imagine you are an Old Testament Jew reading about the Anointed One in these psalms. Describe your understanding of this coming king and what his reign will be like.

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Lesson Overview

-Songs of Ascent

Use/Purpose Uncertain Emphasis on “Nation”

-Key Themes: Unity of God’s People

Reliance on God Jerusalem as Center of

Worship -Key Psalms: 121, 127, 132-134

- 4 - Worshiping the Lord–Songs of Ascent

I. Lesson 3 Review

a. What does the word that is transliterated as “messiah” mean?

b. What are the 2 major themes of Messianic Psalms?

I. Songs of Ascent

a. The Songs of Ascent are a collection of 15 psalms (120-134) that are linked by their subtitle “Song

of Ascents.” The exact meaning of this phrase and the exact use of these psalms are still debated by

scholars.

b. The two prevailing theories for the meaning of the phrase are:

i. The name may refer to the pilgrimage up to Jerusalem for the annual feasts (Passover,

Weeks, Tabernacles). This is the more widely-held view.

ii. The name may refer to the return to Jerusalem from Babylonian Captivity in the latter part

of the 6th century B.C.

iii. Both could be true: the Songs of Ascent written by David and Solomon could have been

used before the Babylonian Captivity, and then taken on additional significance after the

Return. Some of the anonymous ones were probably written after the return (cf. 123:3-4

and Nehemiah 4:1-5), and some even make reference to it (126).

c. The two prevailing theories for their use are:

i. They may have been sung on the road to Jerusalem during the annual pilgrimages. Psalm

122 in particular would seem to be especially meaningful in this context.

ii. They may have been sung on the steps of the Second Temple, which featured 15 steps

leading from the Court of the Women to the Court of Israel, coinciding with the 15 Songs.

One song would have been sung on each step. The phrase “Song of Ascents” could also be

translated “Song of the Steps.”

iii. Again, both could be true. The earlier songs could have been in use in Solomon’s time

during the journey, though the additional use in the temple grounds was certainly a post-

exilic addition to the worship order.

d. The Songs of Ascent feature many corporate psalms—psalms in which all of Israel speaks as one

voice. Psalms 124, 125, 126, 133, 134, and 135 all are corporate songs. This unity of thought is, as

Psalm 133 notes, a valuable asset to corporate worship, and it is not surprising that these psalms

speak for all Israel as Israel goes up to its national worship.

e. Four of these psalms are attributed to David, and one to Solomon, which emphasizes these men’s

importance in establishing Israelite worship at Jerusalem.

II. Themes of Songs of Ascent

a. Unity of God’s People: The Songs of Ascent emphasize unity both in form and content. By

speaking about worshiping and serving together, often in a corporate voice, the psalmist is telling

his audience (and they are teaching each other in singing) how vital it is for them to all seek the

Lord together.

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b. Reliance on God: Especially after the Captivity, Israel was a shattered nation. They had to seek

the Lord to rebuild Jerusalem, defeat their enemies, and restore true worship. The Songs of Ascent

are adamant that “unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (127:1).

c. Jerusalem as the Center of Worship: In contrast to their fathers who had worshiped “on every

high hill, and under every green tree” (1 Kings 14:23), Israel now understood that Jerusalem was

the proper place to worship because it is where God was. Bullock muses that the journey to

Jerusalem for the feasts was “a kind of second Exodus” (80), in that they journeyed from the

bondage of sin and daily life to the freedom of purification and worship.

III. Organization of the Songs of Ascent

a. Scholars have divided and organized the Songs of Ascent in various ways to help explain their

purpose, but most of the schemes place Psalm 127 at the center. Some of their reasons:

i. It was written by Solomon, who built the Temple that features in these psalms

ii. It is at the physical center of the group: 7 Songs before and 7 after

iii. There are two psalms attributed to David in each group of 7, and each group of 7 uses God’s

Divine Name (Yahweh) 24 times. Bullock feels that this distribution is “too symmetrical to be

coincidental” (80).

b. Psalm 127, at the center of the Songs of Ascent, emphasizes reliance on God, but also makes the

most direct personal application in this group, by applying Israel’s national reliance on God to

establish and support them to the individual believer’s family life. It also focuses the worshiper on

the future, and his need for God in all areas of life.

Questions

1. Find examples of the three Themes of Songs of Ascent in the following psalms.

Psalm 121 Psalm 127 Psalm 132 Psalm 133 Psalm 134

Unity

Reliance on God

Jerusalem

2. The following phrases are repeated often in the Songs of Ascent. Find all the verses where they occur.

Verses

“who made the heavens and the earth”

“now and forevermore”

the word “peace”

“May the Lord bless you from Zion”

“O Israel, put your hope in the Lord”

3. What applications to New Testament worship can you find in these psalms?

4. Ephesians 5:17-21 and Colossians 3:16 emphasize the need to teach one another the word of God in our singing.

What applications do you find in the Songs of Ascent about teaching through singing?

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Lesson Overview

-The Discipline of Prayer

Knowledge of the Word Relationship with God

Frequency -The Model Prayer

A Pattern to Follow A Guide to Prayers in

Scripture A Bridge to Praying with

the Psalms

-Key Psalms: 25, 56

- 5 - Praying with the Psalms

I. Lesson 4 Review

a. What are the 3 themes of the Songs of Ascent?

b. What are the 2 possible interpretations of the word “Ascents”?

II. Praying with the Psalms

a. The psalms are partly a collection of prayers, so we can learn

valuable lessons from them about how and what to pray.

b. Our prayers should be influenced by the psalms’ content and fervor. To grow in our prayer we

should pray like the psalmists, and at times even pray their words.

i. E.g.- Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10), Jonah (Jonah 3), and Mary (Luke 1:45-55)

ii. These prayers are full of quotations from psalms, which indicates both how well people knew

the psalms, and that they considered them valid expressions of their own feelings

c. When Christ gave us the Model Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4, he gave us a pattern

that all prayers should follow. According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, all the prayers of scripture, and the

Psalms in particular, follow the pattern Christ gave us (Bonhoeffer 16). We can therefore match the

contents of psalms to the categories of prayer exemplified in the model.

d. When we group our praises and petitions into the categories in the Model Prayer, the Model Prayer

becomes the bridge between the psalms and our prayers. Then we can use the words and thoughts

in the psalms to help us express our needs to God more perfectly.

Questions

1. Fill in the verses from the Model Prayer (use Matthew 6:9-13) and the Genres of Psalms (there is a list on p.5)

next to the category of prayer they exemplify. One answer has been filled in for you.

Examples in the Model Prayer Genre(s) of Psalms

Praise v.9b,

Statement of Trust

Petition for God’s Will to Triumph

Petition for Physical Needs

Petition for Forgiveness

Petition for Spiritual Needs

2. Next, find verses in the psalms for this lesson that exemplify the categories of prayer found in the Model Prayer.

Psalm 25 Psalm 56

Praise

Statement of Trust

Petition for God’s Will to Triumph

Petition for Physical Needs

Petition for Forgiveness

Petition for Spiritual Needs

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3. Psalm 25

a. What does the psalmist ask for in this prayer? Is he asking for one thing, or several?

b. As the psalmist lays his petitions before God, how does he relate his petitions to one another? What does

the psalmist believe must happen before God will fix his problems, vv.7, 11, 18, etc.?

c. What can we learn about the discipline required for prayer from this psalm?

d. Why do you think the psalmist ends his petition for personal deliverance with a prayer for national

deliverance? What is the connection between the two?

4. Psalm 56

a. What does David ask for in this prayer? Is he asking for one thing, or several?

b. What is the “refrain” that occurs twice in this psalm? How does it relate to the request the psalmist is

making? What applications can we draw from the content and repetition of this refrain?

c. The refrains divide this psalm naturally into three stanzas. The first two contain the complaints, and the

third contains David’s promised response to God’s deliverance. Match the summaries on the right with

the verses on the left.

___ Stanza 1: vv.1-3 A. They twist my words and plot against me

___ Stanza 2: vv.5-9 B. I will offer sacrifices and serve God

___ Stanza 3: vv.12-13 C. They fight against me constantly

d. What does David conclude is the reason God has delivered him from difficulty in the past, v.13? What

lessons can we learn from this about one reason (at least) that God answers our prayers?

e. According to the refrain of this psalm, what seems to be the relationship between knowing God’s word

and demonstrating our faith by praying for the things we need?

5. Choose one of the prayers from II.b.i above, and note which psalms are quoted by the speaker of the prayer.

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Lesson Overview

-Man’s Relationship to God

God’s Superiority God’s Guidance

God’s Judgment Man’s Powerlessness

Man’s Duty to Obey God God’s Commandments

-Key Features Images/Roles of God

Value of Worship

-Key Psalms: 90, 95, 100

- 6 - Man’s Relationship to God

I. Lesson 5 Review

a. What are three parallels between the Model Prayer and the

prayers in Psalms?

b. What is the relationship between personal deliverance and

corporate (group) deliverance?

II. The Psalms are categorized as Wisdom Literature because they have much to teach us about our

relationship with God:

a. God’s Superiority to Man, Job 42:1-6; Ecclesiastes 11:5

b. Man’s Need for God’s Guidance, Proverbs 3:5-8; Ecclesiastes 8:16-17

c. God’s Judgment of Man’s Actions, Proverbs 21:1-3; Job 36:5-12

d. Man’s Powerlessness Before God, Ecclesiastes 7:13; Proverbs 15:11

e. Man’s Duty to Obey God, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Proverbs 22:4

f. Man’s Response to God’s Commandments, Proverbs 30:5-6; Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

Questions

1. Fill in the following information for each of the Psalms you read for this lesson.

Genre Author Images from Nature Historical/Circumstantial Notes Given

Psalm 90

Psalm 95

Psalm 100


Psalm 90 Psalm 95 Psalm 100


Physical Requests


Spiritual Requests


Emotions Stirred


3. List the Roles of God that the psalmists discuss in these psalms.

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4. Find verses in these psalms that use the descriptions of Man’s relationship with God found in Wisdom Literature.

God’s

Superiority

God’s Guidance God’s Judgment Man’s

Powerlessness

Duty to Obey God’s

Commands

Psalm 90

Psalm 95

Psalm 100

5. What other lessons about Man’s relationship with God do you find in these Psalms?

6. Two of these psalms emphasize praise or worship as an important part of our relationship with God, even as we

consider our frailty before Him. How is praise an important element of our relationship with God?

7. Psalm 95 ends on a distinctly bitter note. Who is speaking in the last few verses of the psalm, and how would

you connect these sentiments with the joyful, celebratory beginning? What message do they combine to deliver?

8. Psalms 95 and 100 use the same metaphor to describe God’s relationship with His people, but they draw

different applications from that metaphor. What is the metaphor they both use, and what lesson does each psalm

draw from it?

9. What do you think Moses means when he asks in 90:15 for God to “make us glad for as many days as You have

afflicted us?” What are some blessings that the psalmists mention of God’s relationship with His people?

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Lesson Overview

-Evil in the World (3 Sources):

Wicked People Circumstances of Life

Individual Sin -Deliverance from Evildoers

Attributes of God Faith in Deliverance

Consequences of the Conflict with Evil

-Key Psalms: 35, 36

- 7 - Deliverance from Evildoers

I. Lesson 6 Review

a. List three tenets of Man’s Relationship with God.

b. What is the image of God that Psalm 95 and 100 both use?

II. The Psalms, like all Wisdom Literature, speak of evil (that is,

difficulty in life) as coming from three sources:

a. Wicked people in the world, Ecclesiastes 3:16-22

b. Circumstances of life, Job 1:13-19

c. Sin in the life of the individual, Proverbs 6:6-19

d. In the next three lessons, we will examine each of these sources of difficulty and the deliverance the

psalmists seek and find from them

III. Conflict with the Wicked

a. The righteous and the wicked have always been in conflict, but the conflict can take different forms:

i. Physical battle, Judges 3:1-7

ii. Temptation, Genesis 3:1-5; Matthew 4:1-11

iii. Debate, 2 Timothy 4:1-4

iv. How else do the righteous and the wicked engage in conflict?

b. These psalms express the feelings of the righteous about their conflicts with the wicked:

i. It is right and valuable for us to ask God to deliver us from evildoers, Psalm 35

ii. But that request must be based on implicit trust that God can deliver us, as well as a right

relationship with Him, Psalm 36

Questions



Psalm 35

Psalm 36

2. Psalm 36 seems to divide naturally into four stanzas. What is the phrase that repeats three times to indicate a

new stanza?


Psalm 35 Psalm 36


Physical Requests


Spiritual Requests


Emotions Stirred


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4. Describe the wicked man in Psalm 36:1-4. What attributes make him and his actions a difficulty to the psalmist?

How does the wicked man evaluate the appropriateness of his actions?

5. Match the attributes of God listed in 36:5-6 with the contrasting attributes of the wicked listed in vv.1-4.

___ saves man and beast a. believes he cannot be discovered and hated

___ faithful b. plots trouble on his bed

___ righteous c. does not reject evil

___ judges evil d. words are trouble and deceit

___ steadfast love e. has ceased to act wisely and do good

6. Find verses in Psalm 35 that describe specific actions of David’s enemies that match the categories of evil

behavior mentioned in Psalm 36.

Psalm 36 Psalm 35

transgression speaks to him v.7 – “without cause they have dug…”

does not fear God

believes he cannot be caught

words are trouble and deceit

does not act wisely or do good

plots trouble

does not reject evil

7. Compare Psalm 36:1-4 with 2 Peter 3:1-7. What traits do the scoffers of 2 Peter 3 share with the wicked of Psalm

36?

8. What kind of vindication do the psalmists seek against evildoers in these psalms? What kind of vindication does

the New Testament promise for us against the wicked? How are these vindications essentially identical?

9. How do the nature images used in Psalms 35 and 36 heighten the emotion of the passages that contain them?

10. Jot down some possible meanings for and/or applications from Psalm 36:9b: “in your light do we see light.”

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Lesson Overview

-Deliverance from Life’s Trials

Prerequisites for Deliverance

Deliverance Sought Our Response to It

Integrity vs. Innocence -Key Features

“The Bed” in Psalms Relationship with God

Integrity

-Key Psalms: 41, 63

- 8 - Deliverance from Life’s Trials

I. Lesson 7 Review

a. What are the 3 sources of evil, or difficulty, according to

Wisdom Literature?

b. What spiritual difficulty almost inevitably accompanies conflict

with evildoers?

II. Deliverance from Life’s Trials

a. Sometimes we can trace evil in the world to a specific person or action, but sometimes the source of

an evil is less clear.

b. Jesus discusses such an event in Luke 13:4-5, and His conclusion is that the challenge for us is not

to discover the source of the evil, but to determine how to respond to it.

c. The psalmists, like all followers of God, try to determine the correct response to difficulties in their

lives, and their searches are useful examples for us to study and follow. We must seek the kind of

deliverance they sought.

Questions



Psalm 41

Psalm 63


Psalm 41 Psalm 63


Physical Requests


Spiritual Requests


Emotions Stirred


3. Psalm 41:

a. List the difficulties the psalmist is facing.

b. What gives the psalmist’s enemies occasion to speak evil against him? Why are they devising evil

against him?

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c. What is the relationship between vv.1-3, which are in third person (“he”) and vv.4-12, which are in first

person (“I”)? In terms of the psalmist’s message, why are vv.1-3 first?

d. What is the psalmist’s response to the difficulties he faces? How does he know that God delights in him?

4. Psalm 63:

a. Based only on the text of the psalm (i.e., not the historical note), list the difficulties the psalmist has

faced. To what does he compare his longing for deliverance?

b. How does the psalmist respond (or promise to respond) to God’s deliverance?

c. Based on vv.7-8, what seems to be a prerequisite for deliverance?

d. Now consider the historical context of the psalm. How would you reconcile v.11 with David’s assertions

of Saul’s authority and kingship during the time this psalm may have been written (1 Samuel 24:1-7)? Is

David speaking of himself in v.11?

5. In Psalm 41, how can David claim his integrity in v.12, having already admitted his sin in v.4? How does

“considering the poor” (v.1) tie in to this? What is the difference between innocence and integrity? Which does

David claim?

6. The bed is often spoken of in the Psalms (4:4; 6:6; 36:4; 41:3; 63:6; 132:3; 139:8; 149:5) as a place of

introspection. Why do you think the psalmists so often describe the bed as a place to think, pray, and plan?

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Lesson Overview

-Deliverance from Sin

From Punishment and Guilt

From Resulting Evils Linked to Nation’s

Wellbeing -Key Features

Central Metaphor Relationship with God

Integrity

-Key Psalms: 51, 130

- 9 - Deliverance from Sin

I. Lesson 8 Review

a. What are 2 of the prerequisites for deliverance found in Psalms

41 and 63?

b. What is the difference between integrity and innocence?

II. Deliverance from Sin

a. In the Old and New Testaments, sin is the most serious problem God’s people face.

b. The psalmists seek deliverance from two things:

i. The guilt and punishment for their sins, 51:7; 130:8

ii. The evil (or difficulty) resulting from their sins, 51:8

iii. Of these, clearly the first is the most important; Psalm 130 mentions only forgiveness

c. Each of these psalms focuses on a different aspect of the process of forgiveness. Look for words and

images that are repeated in the Psalms

d. In both Psalms, forgiveness of the individual’s sins is directly linked to the wellbeing of the nation

(51:18-19; 130:7-8).

Questions


Genre Author Repeated Words/Images Historical/Circumstantial Notes Given

Psalm 51

Psalm 130


Psalm 51 Psalm 130


Physical Requests


Spiritual Requests


Emotions Stirred


3. Psalm 51:

a. What is the psalmist’s chief complaint in this psalm? Who is his complaint against?

b. List all the ways the psalmist says “Forgive me” in this psalm.

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c. In v.4, the psalmist says that he has sinned against God alone. How does this relate to the second half

of the verse, where the psalmist says “so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your

judgment?” What does this mean?

d. The psalmist draws a contrast between an offering or sacrifice that God does not want and one He

does. Is the psalmist saying that sacrifices are unnecessary? What must happen before the psalmist’s

physical sacrifices will be accepted?

e. v.5, which is sometimes cited to suggest than humans are born guilty of Adam’s sin, is part of a two-

verse statement about the nature of the human soul. What is the message that vv.5-6 convey about our

inclination to sin? What is a New Testament passage that teaches the same principle?

4. Psalm 130

a. Psalm 130 is one of the Songs of Ascent. Why is it important to consider our sinfulness as we draw near

to worship God, as the singers of these songs do?

b. What do we learn from vv.3-4 about our need for God’s grace? How does God’s forgiveness of my sins

make me fear Him?

c. What two attributes of God allow His people to hope for forgiveness, according to v.7?

5. Both of these psalms zoom out at the end to focus on the welfare of the nation as it relates to the righteousness

of the individual. Apply this to the church today: how does my sinfulness or righteousness affect the strength and

success of the congregation of which I am a member?

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Lesson Overview

-Imprecatory Psalms Similar Pattern to Laments

Express Anger toward Enemies

-Errors to Avoid

Imprecatory Psalms Not Scripture

Imprecatory Psalms Should Be Parroted

-Key Psalms: 69, 109, 137

- 10 - Calling Down Curses?–Imprecatory Psalms

I. Lesson 9 Review

a. What are the 2 kinds of deliverance the psalmists seek from

sin?

b. List 2 of the prerequisites for deliverance found in Psalms 51

and 130.

II. Imprecatory Psalms

a. Imprecatory psalms express the psalmists’ anger over the evil behavior of their enemies.

b. We often find these psalms uncomfortable, given Christ’s command to love our enemies (Matthew

5:43-48), so it is important for us to consider how Imprecatory psalms work.

III. Features of Imprecatory Psalms

a. Most scholars identify 7 Imprecatory psalms: 35, 55, 59, 69, 79, 109, and 137 (Bullock 228). Of

these, 35, 69, and 109 sound the harshest.

b. “Imprecations” are simply “curses,” but Bullock suggests “Psalms of Anger” as a better label. The

psalmist is not praying for undeserved evil to happen to his enemies: only justice as he sees it.

c. Imprecatory psalms often follow a similar pattern to Laments

i. Usually include a lament about the psalmist’s situation or the evils done to him (69:2-3)

ii. The psalmist nearly always asks for deliverance (69:1; 109:26)

iii. The writer often either protests his innocence (109:2-3) or confesses his sin (69:5)

iv. Many end with a vow to praise God for His deliverance

v. Also, several of the Laments include imprecatory elements

vi. We can see Imprecatory psalms, then, as an extension of the sentiments of the Laments,

but with more emphasis on the desire to see vengeance enacted on the psalmists’ enemies

IV. The Problem

a. How should a Christian understand Imprecatory psalms? Are they sentiments we should partake of?

b. Even in the Old Testament, the Israelites were not to take vengeance or bear a grudge (Leviticus

19:18). Is the psalmist himself right in making these requests? Are these psalms scripture?

c. “The Imprecatory Psalms put both the Psalmist and God in the context of anger and vengeance.

Who is this religious poet who wishes, even prays, for such things to happen to his enemies. Who is

this God who, the psalmist assumes, would side with him and do such terrible things?” (Bullock 228)

V. Two Errors to Avoid (from Longman 138-139)

a. One response is that Imprecatory Psalms are not scripture: that they are humans speaking without

Divine inspiration. Since the psalmists lived before Christ, they do not think to love their enemies.

i. Response: God told His people not to seek their own vengeance (Leviticus 19:18)

ii. Also, if the Imprecations are unscriptural, the rest of the Psalms are on shaky ground; how

do we determine what is inspired and what is not?

b. Another response is that the Imprecations are not only inspired, but valid for Christians to use in

their prayers. We can ask for this vengeance on those who persecute us or actively seek to destroy

God’s influence in the world.

i. Response: “This does not take into account the radical love to which Jesus calls us”

(Longman 139).

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ii. Jesus said to “pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), and

gave us an example of loving behavior between people of different beliefs (Luke 10:25-37).

VI. Pieces of the Solution Puzzle

a. If we accept that the Imprecatory Psalms are inspired, then we must accept that ultimately we can

reconcile them with God’s mercy and love being available to all people.

b. Compare Psalm 137:9 with Isaiah 13:16, Hosea 13:16, and Nahum 3:10. God is speaking in the last

three passages, and He promises that the event the psalmist wishes for in Psalm 137 will happen to

Babylon, Israel, and Assyria, respectively.

c. It may be too easy to say that the Old Covenant was a more physical and bloody covenant than the

New, but in the Old Testament God sometimes illustrates His judgment on sin by wiping out nations

and peoples. When the Israelites were used as the vehicle of judgment, the standing order was to

destroy all of the people, even the infants (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). Therefore:

i. The psalmist may simply be wishing for God to accomplish what He said would happen.

ii. These judgments are part of the Old Testament program of Israel being holy and the other

nations flowing to them. Israel’s separateness is demonstrated by God’s judgments, both on

their enemies and on Israel itself.

d. Also, the Psalms, like most poetry, use hyperbole to express their sentiments. We are not

necessarily obligated to read all the imprecations as literal descriptions of punishments. They may

be a hyperbolic statement of the Psalmist’s desire for justice.

e. Finally, the Imprecatory Psalms contain Messianic prophecies (69:9, 21), and these psalms are

quoted as authoritative by Jesus and the apostles (109:8).

Questions

1. Fill in the verses of the following Imprecatory Psalms that correspond to elements of Psalms of Lament.

Address to God Cry for Help Lament(s) Sins/Innocence Petition Confidence Vow of Praise

Psalm 69

Psalm 109


Psalm 69 Psalm 109 Psalm 137


Physical Requests


Spiritual Requests


Emotions Stirred


3. How many verses in these two psalms contain actual imprecations, as opposed to laments, statements of trust,

etc.? What conclusions can you draw from this balance of content?

4. What are some New Testament passages that call us to be indignant or upset about sin?

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Lesson Overview

-Waiting for Restoration

Destruction of Enemies Vindication of Faith

Restoration of Worship Peace of a Godly Ruler

-Key Features Personal/International

Focus Often Attributed to

Asaph

-Key Psalms: 74, 79

- 11 - Waiting for Restoration

I. Lesson 10 Review

a. What is Bullock’s better label for Imprecatory Psalms?

b. What are the 2 errors we should avoid as we read the

Imprecatory Psalms?

II. Asaph the Seer

a. Twelve psalms are attributed to Asaph (50, 73-83), a Levite who was one of David’s worship-leaders

(1 Chronicles 16:4-7). His descendants also occupied this position (1 Chronicles 25:1-2), even after

the Babylonian Captivity (Nehemiah 7:44; 11:22).

b. Asaph is called a “seer” (2 Chronicles 29:30), and a feature of the psalms attributed to Asaph is that

God sometimes speaks directly to His people (81:8-16).

c. Some of these psalms, however, were clearly written after Asaph died (e.g., 74 & 79), and may

have been either written by his descendents or written to be sung by them.

d. Despite a multiplicity of authors, these psalms are thematically uniform. They are concerned with

deliverance from Israel’s enemies, and how God will repay the wicked (see especially Psalm 73).

III. Waiting for Restoration

a. When we read psalms that talk about the restoration of Israel, we should look for the Psalmists’

definitions of these problems, and the answers they ask for and propose.

b. Throughout Israel’s history, but especially after the destruction of Jerusalem, godly Israelites

wondered when and how God was going to make Israel into the promised nation that would rule the

Promised Land and maintain the perfect relationship with Him that the Covenant outlines.

c. This wondering seems to center around Four Needs of God’s People:

i. The Need for the Destruction of Israel’s Enemies, 79:6-7

ii. The Need for a Vindication of the Believers’ Faith, 74:18-19

iii. The Need for the Restoration of Godly Worship, 79:1, 13

iv. The Need for the Peace Brought by a Godly Ruler, 74:20-21

d. Many of the psalms that discuss the restoration are attributed to Asaph, which fits with his concern

about Israel’s enemies and their punishment.

Questions


Genre Author Battle Images Written During David’s Time?

Psalm 74

Psalm 79

2. List the verses from each psalm that discuss the Four Needs of God’s People.

Destruction of Enemies Vindication of Faith Restoration of Worship Peace of Godly Ruler

Psalm 74

Psalm 79


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Psalm 74 Psalm 79


Physical Requests


Spiritual Requests


Emotions Stirred


4. Psalm 74 is divided into two very distinct stanzas. List the verses that comprise each stanza. Then find one

sentence in each stanza that could serve as a summary of it, and copy them here. What is the overall message of

this psalm?

5. What images of battle and/or conflict stand out to you in these psalms? Why do you think the psalmist is focused

on these types of images? In what contexts do we use similar language in our teaching and worship today?

5. Both Psalm 74 and 79 mention the destruction of the temple. How is this related to Need #3, the Need for

Restoration of Godly Worship? Why, for instance, does Psalm 79 begin with the destruction of the place of worship

and end with the worship of God’s people? Is the need for godly worship merely physical, as in a building or a

specified order of services? What else is implied about this need in these psalms?

6. Where does the writer of Psalm 74 go to bolster his faith in God’s ability to deliver His people, vv.12-17?

7. By contrast, to what attribute of God does the writer of Psalm 79 appeal in asking for restoration, vv.9-12?

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Lesson Overview

-The Messianic Solution to:

Destruction of Enemies Vindication of Faith

Restoration of Worship Peace of a Godly Ruler

-Key Features Coming Peace

Likeness to David -Key Psalms: 144, 110

- 12 - The Messianic Solution

I. Lesson 11 Review

a. What are the 4 Needs God’s people express when they seek

restoration?

b. To what historical event do Psalms 74 and 79 make reference?

II. David’s View of the Restoration

a. We have seen in Psalms 74 and 79 how the Jews understood the restoration God had offered them.

Now we will examine David’s perspective of it.

i. Psalm 144 gives us David’s view of what God’s restoration would accomplish

ii. Psalm 110 gives us David’s view of the ruler who would accomplish that restoration

b. David’s view of the coming restoration is phrased differently from the view of the Exiled Jews, since

he is writing approximately 500 years earlier, but his underlying confidence in God’s promised

deliverance is the same as theirs.

c. He also addresses the same 4 Needs in these psalms, as both a problem to be solved and a solution.

Questions


Genre Author Battle Images Hints at the Messiah?

Psalm 144 vv.

Psalm 110 vv.

2. List the verses from each psalm that discuss the Four Needs of God’s People.

Destruction of Enemies Vindication of Faith Restoration of Worship Peace of Godly Ruler

Psalm 144

Psalm 110

3. Using the 4 Needs as guidelines, explain how Psalm 110 answers the questions and pleas expressed in Psalm

144. Consider also how these psalms answer the requests from the Practical Psalms chart for Psalms 74 and 79.

4. Psalm 144 borrows extensively from other Old Testament passages. Find the OT references for the following

verses:

a. v.3 –

b. v.4 –

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c. vv.5-6 –

d. vv.7-8 –

e. v.9 –

5. Vv. 12-15 seem to form an unfinished thought. David keeps saying “when this happens,” but he never finishes

the grammatical structure by including a “then…” statement. What is the implied “then…” that makes this era of

prosperity and peace possible? How does David hint at this cause in these verses?

6. Compare the description of the blessed people in Psalm 144 to the subjects of the Priest-King in Psalm 110. How

are they similar? How are they different?

7. We understand from Jesus’ words and the book of Hebrews that David is referring to Christ in 110:1 and

describing the Messianic reign in the Psalm, but how would David and his initial readers have understood this

psalm? To whom would the descriptions refer in their minds?

8. We often criticize the Jews of Christ’s day for looking for a militaristic Messiah who would drive out the Romans

when Christ was offering a much better solution to their problems. But the language of this psalm is unavoidably

violent and physical. How do vv.5-6 still apply to Christ’s work, even though he did not fight any physical battles?

9. The Hebrew writer quotes or refers to 110:4 five times in his discourse. In what ways is this verse, and indeed

this psalm, a central part of any discussion of Christ’s superiority?

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Lesson Overview

-Calls to Praise

Who is Called What They Say

Why They Praise Him -Key Features

Chiastic Structure National Focus

Inclusivity -Key Psalms: 146-150

- 13 - A Triumphant Close

I. Lesson 12 Review

a. What is the problem confronting the psalmist in Psalm 144?

Who is the answer in Psalm 110?

b. What description of the Messiah in Psalm 110 is central to the

book of Hebrews?

II. A Crescendo of Praises

a. In Lesson 1 we noted that the number of Praise Psalms increases from book to book in the Psalms.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, the editor ends the book by reinforcing two points:

i. Everyone should praise God for His works, which also praise Him (148, 150)

ii. God will redeem and preserve His people (146, 147, 149)

b. Each psalm in this group begins and ends with the word Hallelujah, which is usually translated in our

Bibles as “Praise the Lord”

i. This set of bookends marks these five psalms as a set

ii. It also gives us their theme: praising the Lord for His works

c. The five psalms are arranged in a chiasm:

A The individual praises God for personal deliverance (146)

B Israel praises God for national deliverance (147)

C All people and nations are called to praise God (148)

B’ Israel is called to further praise (149)

A’ All individuals are called to further praise (150)

i. The center and central idea of this chiasm is the call to praise God, which is also the theme

of every psalm in the group, and the beginning and ending of each psalm.

ii. From every angle, this group of psalms encourages and demands that we praise God.

Questions

1. List everyone who is specifically called to praise God in this group of psalms:

2. Besides “Praise the Lord,” there is another phrase that is repeated at least once in each of these psalms (except

Psalm 148). What is the repeated phrase, and what does it add to the command to “Praise the Lord”? Why do you

think this phrase is not present in Psalm 148?

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3. Psalm 146 draws a contrast between the one the psalmist will not trust and the One he will. Make a list of the

reasons he will not trust another man for deliverance, and a list of the reasons he will trust God for deliverance.

What fundamental point is the psalmist making by drawing this contrast?

4. According to Psalm 147:20, what is the greatest mark of God’s special relationship with Israel? How are the

benefits of this unique blessing reflected in the rest of the psalm?

5. Psalm 148 is divided into two stanzas: praise from the heavens, and praise from the earth. List the verses that

make up each section. What reason is given in each section for the listed to praise Him? Finally, what is the

additional reason why everyone should praise God (v.14)?

6. Why do you think the psalmist calls for “a new song” for Israel’s worship to God that is described in Psalm 149?

(Consider also Psalm 33:1-3.) Where else is this phrase used?

7. Psalm 150 first lists reasons to praise God, then ways to praise God. It ends with a general call to praise. List the

specifics of each category from the psalm:

a. Reasons to Praise God:

b. Ways to Praise God:

c. What is the qualification a being must meet to praise God in this psalm?

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- Review Worksheet -

1. What does the word psalm mean? (For a bonus point, write the Hebrew word that is the title of the book.)

2. List at least 5 genres of Psalms:

3. What is the movement in tone and genre across the Psalms as a collection?

4. What are the books that made up the two original compilations of Psalms?

a. Collection 1:

b. Collection 2:

5. List the 2 main literary devices used in the Psalms:

6. What are the 4 main types of parallelism?

7. What is Bullock’s better label for Imprecatory Psalms?

8. What are the 2 errors we should avoid in reading the Imprecatory Psalms?

9. What does the word transliterated as “messiah” mean?

10. What are the 2 major themes of Messianic Psalms?

11. What are the 3 themes of the Songs of Ascent?

12. What are the 2 possible interpretations of the word “Ascents”?

13. What are three parallels between the Model Prayer and the prayers in Psalms?

14. What is the relationship between personal deliverance and corporate (group) deliverance?

15. List 3 tenets of Man’s Relationship with God.

16. What is the image of God that Psalm 95 and 100 both use?

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17. What are the 3 sources of evil, or difficulty, according to Wisdom Literature?

18. What spiritual difficulty almost inevitably accompanies conflict with evildoers?

19. What are 2 of the prerequisites for deliverance found in Psalms 41 and 63?

20. What is the difference between integrity and innocence?

21. What are the 2 kinds of deliverance the psalmists seek from sin?

22. List 2 of the prerequisites for deliverance found in Psalms 51 and 130.

23. What are the 4 Needs God’s people express when they seek restoration?

24. To what historical event do Psalms 74 and 79 make reference?

25. What is the problem confronting the psalmist in Psalm 144? Who is the answer in Psalm 110?

26. What description of the Messiah in Psalm 110 is central to the book of Hebrews?

27. Recreate the chiasm (including the summaries) formed by Psalms 146-150.

28. What is the qualification listed at the end of Psalm 150 that a being must meet to worship God?

Documents

Seeking and Finding God - Embry Hillsembryhills.us/adult_class_material/psalms_mason_broadwell_jack... · 3 mmb3 February 2016 -List the distinguishing characteristics of a song of